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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
A diffusion kurtosis imaging study of the relationship between whole brain microstructure and cognitive function in
Nanae Matsumoto1, Taiki Sugimoto1,2, Fumio Yamashita3
1Department of Prevention and Care Science, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan.
Background:
The association of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) with microstructure of individual regions across the entire brain remains unexplored.
Purpose:
To investigate the relationship between cognitive function and the microstructure of each brain region in the gray matter using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is the transitional stage before the onset of dementia.
Material And Methods:
DKI and MMSE were obtained for 34 older adults with MCI and 16 cognitively normal (CN) individuals aged 65-85 years. The DKI parameters were measured from 31 distinct regions of interest in the gray matter. A multiple regression analysis was used to examine the association between DKI parameters and MMSE scores; subsequently, interactions between the DKI parameters and the groups (MCI and CN) were examined.
Results:
The mean (±SD) MMSE score for the MCI group was 27.67 ± 1.90. Significant positive correlations were observed between MMSE score and mean kurtosis (MK) in the superior frontal, middle frontal, inferior frontal, precentral, postcentral, angular, middle temporal, and inferior occipital gyri, and superior parietal lobe for the MCI group. In addition, the interaction term of the MK in the middle frontal, precentral, postcentral, and angular gyri, and the groups was statistically significant.
Conclusion:
Older adults with MCI may exhibit histological damage in certain regions of the brain, such as the middle frontal and angular gyri, as observed in this study. The findings could provide insights into understanding the pathophysiology of cognitive decline in this population group.
Insights
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults is linked to brain microstructure changes. Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) revealed associations between cognitive function and gray matter integrity, particularly in frontal and parietal regions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- The relationship between cognitive function, measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the brain's gray matter microstructure is not fully understood.
- Investigating these associations is crucial for understanding cognitive decline in aging populations, particularly in the transitional stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the link between cognitive function (MMSE) and gray matter microstructure using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI).
- To examine these relationships in older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and compare them with cognitively normal (CN) individuals.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) data were collected from 34 older adults with MCI and 16 cognitively normal individuals (aged 65-85).
- DKI parameters were analyzed in 31 gray matter regions of interest.
- Multiple regression analysis assessed the association between DKI parameters and MMSE scores, with interaction analyses examining group differences (MCI vs. CN).
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations were found between MMSE scores and mean kurtosis (MK) in several gray matter regions, including the superior frontal, middle frontal, inferior frontal, precentral, postcentral, angular, middle temporal, inferior occipital gyri, and superior parietal lobe in the MCI group.
- The interaction between MK and group status was significant in the middle frontal, precentral, postcentral, and angular gyri, indicating group-specific microstructural differences related to cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- Older adults with MCI show evidence of microstructural alterations in specific brain regions, such as the middle frontal and angular gyri.
- These findings suggest potential histological damage contributing to cognitive decline in MCI and offer insights into the underlying pathophysiology.
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